Machine for washing and filling a container



O 196 B. A. cooK 3,277,929

MACHINE FOR WASHING AND FILLING A CONTAINER Filed July 26, 1963 10 Sheets-Sheet 1 F/G.4. 25 M 25- 29 I 5 K E 28 28 9 04732729 28 nvvmraw BERNARD ALFRED CooK mww www AT TORNEXY Oct. 11, 1966 B. A. COOK MACHINE FOR WASHING AND FILLING A CONTAINER Filed July 26, 1963 10 Sheets-Sheet 2 KM R m M mow N E W Ln WAM D Oct. 11, 1966 B. A. COOK MACHINE FOR WASHING AND FILLING A CONTAINER Filed July 26, '1963 10 Sheets-Sheet 3 w I? J n 7 Lu 2 M/ 7 2 2 2 9 0 2 E q 2 33 6 ll 3 7 m uufl 4 @IE B 4 1m 0 6 W 9 3% 5 J 7 a 2 Z 2 7 FIG. 6.

Oct. 11, 1966 B. A. COOK 3,277,929

MACHINE FOR WASHING AND FILLING A CONTAINER Filed July 26, 1963 10 Sheets-Sheet 4 I08 IWQ 7O F'|G.8

/NVENTOR BERNARD ALFRED COOK BYXM.W

ATTORNEYS Oct. 11, 1966 B. A. cooK MACHINE FOR WASHING AND FILLING A CONTAINER Filed July 26, 1963 10 Sheets-Sheet 5 m/vnvroR BERNARD ALFRED COOK BY KM WMSMMUWM ATTORNEYS Oct. 11, 1966 B. A. COOK 3,

MACHINE FOR WASHING AND FILLING A CONTAINER Filed July 26, 1963 10 Sheets-Sheet 6 fNVENTOR BERNARD ALFRED Coo| BYXMWMwM A "(IRAQ XS Oct. 11, 1966 B. A. COOK MACHINE FOR WASHING AND FILLING A CONTAINER Filed July 26, 1963 10 Sheets-Sheet 7 lNVENTOR BERNARD ALFRED COOK A TTOPNEXS Oct. 11, 1966 B. A. cooK 3,277,929

MACHINE FOR WASHING AND FILLING A CONTAINER Filed July 26, 1963 10 Sheets-Sheet 8 mvc/vrok BERNARD ALFRED COOK XMZUMSMW A TTORNEYS Oct. 11, 1966 B. A. cooK 3,277,929

MACHINE FOR WASHING AND FILLING A CONTAINER Filed July 26, 1963 10 Sheets-Sheet 9 BERNARD ALFRED CooK ay/zmwwawgw A TTORNIYS Oct. 11, 1966 B. A. COOK MACHINE FOR WASHING AND FILLING A CONTAINER Filed July 26, 1963 10 Sheets-Sheet 10 IlunuuwlTnTir HHT I I} lNl/E/VTOR BERNARD ALFRED COOK By/ ATTORNEYS United States Patent 3,277,929 MACHINE FOR WASHING AND FILLING A CONTAINER Bernard Alfred Cook, Hounslow, Middlesex, England, as-

signor to Universal Equipment Co. (London) Limited, a

British company Filed July 26, 1963, Ser. No. 317,861 12 Claims. (Cl. 141-92) This invention relates to a machine for washing containers such as beer kegs and particularly metal or plastic kegs used for beverages such as keg bitter. In this specification the expression keg is used generically to include all kinds of containers which may be washed and filled in my new machine. At present keg bitter is usually sold in metal kegs each keg having a spur valve assembly at top centre of the keg. When cleaning such kegs it is at present necessary to dismantle the valve assembly, clean it and then reassemble it in the keg. This is a tedious and expensive operation and one object of the present invention is to provide a machine in which such kegs may be washed, sterilized and filled with beer without having to dismantle the spur valves of the kegs.

According to the present invention there is provided a machine for washing and filling kegs wherein the kegs are moved sequentially from station to station through the machine in an inverted position, each keg being held stationary at each station while an operation on the keg is performed.

As an example there may be five stations as follows:

One loading station;

Two washing, drying and sterilizing stations; One filling station;

One unloading station.

In a machine there may be a single run or lane of kegs or two or more runs side by side.

In order that the invention may be clearly understood it will now be described more fully, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

FIGURE 1 is a side elevation of a machine in accordance with the invention;

FIGURE 2 is an elevation of the opposite side of the machine, the upper part thereof being omitted;

FIGURE 3 is a central longitudinal vertical section of the machine drawn to a larger scale, parts of the machine being shown in elevation;

FIGURE 4 is a detail of the lower end of the beam raising and lowering means;

FIGURE 5 is a section on line VV of FIGURE 4 drawn to an enlarged scale;

FIGURE 6 is a section on line VIVI of FIGURE 1 drawn to an enlarged scale;

FIGURE 7 is a fragmentary plan of the loading end of the traversing carriage;

FIGURE 8 is a central vertical section of one of the washing heads, parts thereof being shown in elevation;

FIGURE 9 is a central vertical section of the filling head, parts thereof being shown in elevation;

FIGURE 10 is an elevation, partly in section, at right angles to FIGURE 9;

FIGURE 11 is a plan of the lifting mechanism for the doors;

FIGURE 12 is a section on line XI-IXII of FIGURE 11, the lowermost part of the machine being omitted;

FIGURE 13 is a plan of one of the hydraulic devices for actuating the rods for opening the spur valves of the kegs;

FIGURE 14 is an elevation of the hydraulic unit, the front cover thereof being broken away;

FIGURE 15 is a plan of the angularly displ-aceable tray for the discharge of water and caustic solution;

ice

FIGURE 16 is a front elevation of the control console and FIGURE 17 is a diagram of one lane of the machine and also the beverage measuring equipment.

, The machine to be described by way of example has two runs or lanes side by side. Referring more particularly to FIGURES 1, 2 and 3 the machine has a hollow base 1 constructed from sheet metal the base having sides 2 and 3 and ends 4 and 5 also a floor 6 which is supported by longitudinal members 7. The whole machine is supported on adjustable feet 8, fixed to the member 7. Constructed with the base is .a compartment 9 having slidable side doors 10 on two opposite sides and also end doors 11 FIGURES 12, which will latter be more fully described. At the upper end of the compartment 9 is a hood 12 for enclosing door lifting mech anism hereinafter to be described.

Above the base is a rectangular beam 13 FIGURE 3, in the form of a frame constructed from angled sheet metal and having sides 14 and 15, FIGURE 6, and ends 16 and 17. The beam has a floor 18 and transverse reinforcing members 19. Mounted on the beam 13 is a longitudinally traversing carriage 20, shown more clearly in FIGURE 7, having rollers 21 which run on track members 22 bolted to the sides 14 and 15 of the beam. In order that the carriage may not deviate from its path, diagonally opposite rollers 23 and 24 are grooved to engage their respective tracks. In the example described, the carriage may have a longitudinal movement of 33 inches.

For a purpose which will hereinafter be described, the beam 13 is movable upwards and downwards through a stroke of approximately 5 inches. The movement is eflected by channel members 25 arranged one on each side of the beam 13 and centrally thereof. As shown in FIGURES 4 and 5, each channel member 25 is welded to a bracket 26 which is bolted to the adjacent side of the beam. Fixed to each member 25 are brackets 27 which mount rollers 28, the rollers running on three faces of a vertical .and stationary square section post 29 fixed to the base 1 of the machine. Fixed to the rear of each member 25 is a bracket 30 which received the threaded end of a lifting rod 31, the rod being secured by a nut 32. The upper end of each rod is screw threaded to allow the opposite ends of a yoke 33 to be clamped to the rods by nuts 34, FIGURE 6. Mounted centrally of transverse members 35, FIGURE 3, fixed at the upper end of the compartment 9, is a hydraulic cylinder 36, the ram of which engages the underside of the yoke 33 and raises it thereby lifting the beam through the intermediary of the rods 31 and channel members 25. On the hydraulic liquid being exhausted from the cylinder, the beam moves downwardly by virtue of its weight. In order to prevent any tendency for horizontal sway of the beam during its movement, one end thereof may mount a downwardly projecting rod 37 which slides in a fitting 38 fixed to the adjacent end of the base 1.

Reverting to the traversing carriage 20, the traversing movement may be effected by a hydraulic cylinder 39 fixed within the beam 13 and arranged so that its ram engages a bracket 40 fixed to the adjacent end of the carriage. The kegs for which the machine is adapted to service each have a spring loaded spur closure surrounded by an exterior neck. The kegs are manually inverted for servicing in the machine so that their respective spur valves are downwards, and in order to locate the kegs in their correct position on the carriage for servicing, devices 41, shown more particularly in FIGURE 7, are provided, each comprising a pair of oppositely disposed segments internally bevelled as at 42 between which segments the neck of a keg is placed, the bevels 42 serving to center the keg on the device 41.

In the example of the machine described, five stations are provided designated A, B, C, D and E, the stations being arranged in two lanes sides by side as indicated in FIGURE 6. As the kegs move from station to station through the machine, different operations are performed on the kegs. These operations are as follows:

A. A keg for servicing is loaded on the locating device.

B. Ullage is drained from the keg and the keg is subjected to a hot water wash internal and externally, finally a caustic solution is applied to the interior of the keg.

C. Interior of the keg is given a hot water wash and then steamed.

D. Steam is again introduced into the keg followed by a cold water rinse. Air under pressure is then applied to the keg in order to expel any water. The keg is next subjected to an air pressure of lb. p.s.i. in order to detect leaks. Finally, the keg is gradually filled with beer to prevent frothing, and surplus beer being blown back to beer measuring means.

E. Keg is positioned for removal where the neck of the keg is given a final spray of water.

At stations B and C, FIGURE 3, are static washing heads 43 and 44 respectively. The heads are similar in construction and one is shown in FIGURE 8. At station D is a beer filling head 45, shown more particularly in FIGURE 9. The heads of each lane are bolted to transverse H-section members 46 fixed to the base 1, FIGURE 3. Referring to FIGURE 9, an internally bevelled ring 47 locates the neck of a keg. The ring has an internal shoulder 48 which engages a rubber annulus 49 seated in a recess 50 in the head. Formed with the ring is an annular lip 51 which is engaged by flange 52 formed on a clamp ring 53 which screws onto the head, the clamp ring serving to clamp the annulus 49 against its seating. The rubber annulus provides a fluid tight seal between the neck of a keg and the head when downward pressure is applied to the keg in a manner to be described.

Axially aligning with each head and normally clear of a keg before it is processed, is a rectangular clamp plate 54 fixed to the piston of a pneumatic cylinder 55. When a keg is positioned on a head for servicing the clamp plate 54 descends and clamps the neck of the keg against the rubber annulus 49 in the head.

It is to be understood that the machine services kegs in a continuous manner, the kegs pausing at each station for a suflicient time to allow the operations at that station to be completed. At the start of a run of operation a keg is positioned at station A. The beam 13 is then lifted so that the keg locating devices on the traversing carriage are clear of the washing and filling heads. The carriage then moves forwards and conveys the keg to station B, the clamps 54 being simultaneously lifted. The keg then having been thus positioned at station B, the beam descends and moves back to its former position. While the keg is at station B another keg to be serviced is placed in position at station A. Thus, it will be seen that by periodically raising the beam and moving the carriage, kegs may be conveyed though the machine, each keg after it has been processed being deposited on a static support 56 at station E fixed to the base 1 where the neck of the keg is given a final spray 'of water through a pipe 57.

When a keg has been positioned and is clamped onto a head by the associated clamp plate 54, the spur valve of the keg is opened. In order to effect the opening of the valve each head has a body 58 and axially of the body is a rod 59 which is slidable in glands 60 and 61, fixed a bore 62 of the head. The rod is loaded downwardly by a spring 63 which is located by a shoulder 64 on the body 58 and a flanged disc 65 which is fixed by a nut 66 engaging a screw thread 67 at the lower end of the rod. In order to limit the action of the spring 63, the rod is formed with a shoulder 68 which engages the gland 60. The rod has a blind axial hole 69 which communicates with the bore 62 of the head by way of ports 70. The

purpose of the bore 69 and ports 70 will later be made clear. In order to take up wear, the upper end of the rod may have an apertured cap 71 which is threaded onto the rod.

In order to actuate the rod, the nut 66 is engaged by a roller 72 carried by a lever 73 which is pivotally mounted in a bracket 74 fixed to the base 1 of the machine. The lever has another similar roller 75 which is engaged by a head 76 formed at the end of a rod 77. Referring to FIGURE 13, the rod extends across the machine to the side thereof where it is connected to the ram of a hydraulic cylinder 78 housed in a casing 79, fixed to the adjacent sideof the machine. It is to be understood that each head in each lane of heads is furnished with spur valve opening means as previously described and in FIGURES 1 and 2 the casings 79 enclosing the hydraulic cylinders are indicated.

It has been mentioned that the kegs are subjected to an external spray and in order that the spray should be confined to the keg being treated each station -is isolated from an adjoining station by a vertically movable door 80 FIGURE 3. Referring more particularly to FIGURES 11 and 12, each door has an L-section member 81 welded to its upper end. Anchored to each bracket is a cable 82 which passes over a grooved pulley 83, the end of the cable being anchored in the groove of the pulley by any convenient means. The pulleys for each door are fixed to a shaft 84 rotatably mounted in plummer blocks 85. The blocks 85 for the shafts of the outer pairs of pulleys are mountedon similar brackets 86 fixed to the adjacent side of the hood of the machine while the two inner shafts are mounted in plummer blocks fixed to upwardly extending flanged brackets 87 and 88 bolted to the traverse members 35 of the compartment 9 of the machine.

The pulleys are driven collectively by chain drives 89, the chains driving sprockets wheels 90 fixed to the ends of the shafts. Mounted on the bracket 87 is a hydraulic cylinder 91 to the ram of which tlS fixed a U-shape fitting 92. Rotatably mounted in the fitting is a sprocket wheel 93 over which passes a chain 94 and which is anchored to the bracket 87 as at 95. The chain drives a sprocket wheel 96, fixed to the shaft 84 of the second pair of pulleys from the left hand side of the machines. After passing over the drive sprocket wheel, the chain engages a guide sprocket 97 mounted on a bracket 98 fixed to the bracket 87. The chain extends downwardly and attached to its lower end is a chain tension Weight 99. Fixed to the shaft 84 of the second pair of pulleys on the right hand side of the machine are two sprocket wheels 100 and 101 and anchored to each of the sprocket wheels 100 and 101 are chains the lower ends of which are anchored to a counter balance weight 102.

When hydraulic fluid is admitted to the cylinder 91, the sprocket wheel 93 at the end of the ram will be forced downwardly. This will result in the sprocket wheel 96 being driven, the drive being transmitted by the chains 89 so that all of the pulleys are driven in unison. Thus, the doors 80 and 11 will be lifted simultaneously. The combined weight of the doors exceeds that of the counterbalance weight 102, consequently when the hydraulic fluid is exhausted from the cylinder 91, the doors will drop 'by virtue of their Weight.

Within the base 1 of the machine is a caustic solution tank 103 and a water tank 104. The solution in the tank 103 is heated by a cylinder 104 to which hot water may be supplied by the brewery where the machine is installed. The water tank 104 has a similar heater 105 the hot water for which is obtained from the same source.

An electric motor driven pump 106, mounted at one side of the machine as shown in FIGURE 2, pumps the caustic solution from the tank 103 through a filter 107 and into a feed pipe 108 connected to the washing head at station A. The solution flows into the bore 62 of the head, through ports 70 in the rod 59 and enters the keg by way of the central hole 69 in the rod. After flushing,

the solution is drained from the keg by way of a pipe 109 which leads to a drain tray 110, FIGURE 15. The tray is arcuately displaceable in a horizontal plane about a pivot 111. The movement is effected by a pneumatic cylinder 112 the piston of which has an arm 113 which actuates a lever 114 fixed to the pivot of the tray through the medium of a pin and slot connection 115. The tray has a hole 116 through which the caustic solution may pass to a tank 117 and water to a tank 118 according to the position of the tray. The caustic solution in the tank 117 passes back to the main tank 103 and the water in the tank 118 is drained away. It is to be understood that the keg is given a hot water wash prior to the caustic solution wash, the hot water being admitted to the head by the feed pipe 108.

At station C, the keg is given a hot water wash after which the interior of the keg is steamed. Hot water for this operation is pumped from the tank 104 by an electric motor driven pump 109, FIGURE 2. The head at station C is similar to that at station B and the hot water and steam enters the head by way of a pipe 119 corresponding to the pipe 108 of the head at station B. After flushing the keg, the hot water returns to the tank by way of a pipe 120.

At station D, steam and then water is admitted to the keg via a pipe 121 and through a pneumatic valve 122, similar to that shown on the left hand side of FIGURE 9, the water being pumped from the tank 104 by the pump 109. In order that all water may be expelled from the keg after the steaming and washing operations, compressed air is introduced into the head and consequently the keg by a connection 123 and is exhausted through an outlet 124. Air pressure at lb. p.s.i. may be applied to the keg in order to detect any leaks prior to the keg being filled with beer. After this final sterilizing operation, the keg is filled with beer, the beer being pumped through a pipe 125 to the head, the flow being controlled by a valve 126 operated by a pneumatic cylinder 127. Compressed air to the cylinder is supplied by a pipe line 128 connected by a single banjo fitting 129 to the cylinder. A source of compressed air may be supplied by the brewery.

Referring to FIGURE 14, a hydraulic unit for supplying hydraulic fluid to the various hydraulic cylinders in the machine comprises a casing 130 having a removable cover 131. At the lower part of the casing is a reservoir 132 for hydraulic fluid. An electric motor 133 drives a main pump 134 through a flexible coupling 135. Aligned with the main pump is an idling pump 136. Fluid is drawn from the reservoir by pipes 137 and is forced through pipes 138, the fluid from the main pump 134 passing through a check valve 139 and a non-return valve 140. Connected to the outlet pipe of the idling valve is a valve 141 for controlling the general pressure of the fluid. From the non-return valve 140 fluid passes by way of a pipe 142 to a solenoid valve 143, of known construction, to a supply pipe 144 to the machine. The solenoid valve 143 controls the supply of hydraulic fluid to the hydraulic cylinders operating the doors and beam. The pipe 142 has a branch 145 which is connected to a solenoid valve 146 similar to the solenoid valve 143. An outlet pipe 147 from the valve is connected to the machine, the pipe being connected to the hydraulic cylinder, effecting the traversing movement of the carriage.

Since the machine is fully automatic in operation, it is necessary that means be provided for the timing of the sequential operations during the passage of the kegs through the machine. Conveniently the control and timing of the operations may be effected by electric timers of a type known which timers close circuits through relays which in turn close the circuits of solenoid operated pneumatic valves of a known kind. Where pneumatic cylinders are employed to effect certain operations of the machine, as for instance the cylinders actuating the keg clamps, and the cylinders moving the drain trays 110,

electric pneumatic valves may directly control the supply of compressed air to the cylinders. In the instance of the supplies of fluid to the machine, the control of the supplies may be effected by spring loaded valves of a known type which are in turn operated by electric pneumatic valves. The spring loaded valves are located at convenient positions in the machine and are not shown. At two opposite sides of the machine are casings 148, FIGURE 1 and 2, which serve to house the electric pneumatic valves, one of the casings being broken away to show two of the valves which are indicated at 149.

Adjoining the casing of hydraulic unit is a control console 150 the lower part of which houses relay sets 151. Mounted on a panel 152 are electric timers 153 for the different functions to be performed at each station further timers being positioned within the lower part of the console. Another panel 154 mounts pilot lamps 155 which indicate that the operations are functioning. At the left hand side of the panel 152 are pilot lamps 156 and 157 for one lane and at the right hand side are pilot lamps 158 and 159 for the other lane. The lamps 156 and 158 indicate failure of the test pressure applied to kegs in the respective lanes and lamps 157 and 159 indicate the incorrect fitting of a keg on a head. A control switch 160 may be adjusted for normal running, washing and the cutting in and out of one of the lanes.

Mounted on a sloping panel 161 of the console are further pilot lamps 162 and press buttons 163 which indicate and control respectively the operations of the machine. The functions of the pilot lamps and press buttons are not described since it will be understood that these may be arranged according to requirements.

In FIGURE 17, the pipe lines to the stations of one lane are shown diagrammatically, the liquid fluid pipes being indicated by double lines and the compressed air lines by dotted lines. It is to be understood that the arrangements are duplicated for the other lane. Pneu matically operated valves controlling the supply of liquid fluid in the pipe lines are indicated at 164 and the solenoid operated pneumatic valves for controlling the supply of compressed air to the valves 164 are indicated at 165. The pipe lines for the hydraulic fluid to the beam raising and lowering cylinder 36 and to the cylinder 39 operating the traversing carriage are indicated generally at 166. Beer measuring equipment is indicated generally at 167, the valves controlling the flow of the beer being operated by solenoid valves similar to those indicated at 165. Compressed air for the operation of the valves 164 is supplied from a cylinder 163. The beer measuring equipment comprises two vessels 169 and 170 for each lane of the machine. Within each cylinder is a removable float 171. At the top of each cylinder is a pressure equalizing chamber 172 and in the chamber is an annular weir 173.

Beer is supplied to each cylinder by way of an inlet and outlet pipe 174 until the level of the beer is such that the beer overflows the weir, the action being determined by the beer pressure being equalized by the pressure of the displaced gas in the chamber 172. At the level of the weir is a sight glass 175 to enable the action to be observed and adjusted. A valve 176 in the pipe 174 is then closed, to cut off the supply of beer, allowing surplus beer to be drained from the pipe 174. Following this operation, the valve 176 is re-opened and due to the counter pressure in the chamber 172, a precisely measured volume of beer is discharged to a keg to be filled. Finally, a valve 177 is opened to allow surplus beer from the Weir to be drained into a beer reservoir, not shown.

The two cylinders for each lane provide for one cylinder being filled while the other is being discharged. The operation of the equipment is entirely automatic and is so-coordinated with the operation of the machine.

In order to determine with precision the extent of the movement of the beam 13, traversing carriage 20, spur operating rods 59 in the heads, clamp plates 54, doors 11 and 80 and then drain trays 110, limit switches, not shown,

may be located at suitable positions so as to be engaged by the movable parts, the switches being arranged to break the relay circuits associated with the said parts.

I claim:

1. A machine for washing and filling kegs sequentially from station to station through the machine, comprising a base, a rectangular beam structure having upstanding opposite side members connected by a yoke, means mounted on a stationary part of the machine for raising and lowering the yoke and consequently the beam structure, a carriage on the beam having rollers for moving along a track on the beam, means within the base for efi'ecting the movement of the carriage, locating means for the kegs spaced along the carriage, and upwardly projecting heads mounted on the base and normally aligning with the keg locating means, certain of the heads supplying a cleansing fluid to the kegs and one head supplying a beverage to the kegs after the cleansing operations, the arrangement being such at the commencement of operations, the beam together with the carriage and the keg thereon rises, whereupon the carriage transports the keg to the first station, the beam then dropping to deposit the keg on the head at the first station after which the carriage is retracted to its former position.

2. A machine for washing and filling inverted kegs each having an opening in its inverted end said opening being closed by a valve, said machine comprising means for moving the kegs horizontally in sequence to stations in the machine at which washing and filling operation are performed respectively, means for effecting a pause in the horizontal movement of each keg when at a station, means for moving each keg vertically downwardly when at each station for registration with fluid supply means, and means associated with the said fluid supply means for opening the valve in the keg so that a washing or filling operation may be performed on the keg according to the particular station at which the keg is located.

3. A machine as set forth in claim 2 including volumetric measuring means for a beverage supplied to a keg at the aforesaid filling station.

4. A machine for washing, sterilizing and filling inverted kegs each having an opening in its inverted end said opening being closed by a valve, said machine comprising a base, a beam structure arranged for vertical movement relatively to the base, a horizontally traversing carriage .on the beam for transporting the kegs in sequence to stations in the machine at which washing, sterilizing and filling operations are performed respectively, means for locating the kegs on the carriage so that when a keg pauses at a station its opening axially aligns with a fluid supply head and subsequent downward movement of the beam causes the keg to seat on the head, and means associated with each head for opening the valve of a keg seated thereon to permit one of the said operations to be performed according to the particular station at which the keg is located.

5. A machine for washing and sterilizing and filling inverted kegs each having an opening on its inverted end said opening being closed by a valve, said machine comprising a base, a rectangular beam structure having upstanding opposite side members connected by a yoke, means mounted on a stationary part of the machine for raising and lowering the yoke and consequently the beam structure, a carriage on the beam structure for trans porting the kegs in sequence to stations at which washing, and sterilizing and filling operations are performed respectively, said carriage having rollers for moving along a track on the beam structure means within said structure for eflecting the movement of the carriage, means spaced along'the carriage for locating the kegs 05 that their respective openings normally vertically align with upwardly projecting heads mounted on the base, said heads incorporating means for opening the said valves in the kegs, certain of the heads supplying a cleansing fluid to the kegs and one of the heads supplying a beverage to the kegs after they have been cleansed, the arrangement being such that, at the commencement of the cleansing and filling operations, the said beam together with the said carriage and a keg thereon rises whereupon the carriage transports the keg to the first station, the beam then dropping to deposit the keg on the head at the said first station after which the carriage is retracted to its initial position.

6. A machine for washing and sterilizing inverted beer kegs each having an opening in its inverted end closed by a spring loaded valve, said machine comprising hydraulically operated means for transporting the kegs horizontally in sequence to compartments in the machine in which compartments washing, sterilizing and filling operations are performed respectively, vertically sliding doors for the compartments, the movements of said doors being co-ordinated with the movement of the said means for transporting the kegs horizontally, means for effecting a pause in the horizontal movement of the kegs when located in the compartments, hydraulic operated means for moving the kegs vertically downwards when in the compartments for location on fluid supply heads each including means for opening the valve of the keg located thereon thereby permitting fluid from the supply head to enter the keg.

7. A machine for washing and sterilizing inverted beer kegs each having an opening on its inverted end closed by a spring loaded valve, said machine comprising a base, a beam structure arranged for vertical movement relatively to the base, a horizontally traversing carriage on the beam for transporting the kegs in sequence to compartments in the machine in which compartments washing, sterilizing and filling operations are performed respectively, vertically sliding doors for the compartments, the movements of said doors being co-ordinated with the movements of said carriage means for locating the kegs on the carriage so that when a keg pauses in a compartment its opening axially aligns with a fluid supply head and subsequent downward movement of the beam causes the keg to seat on the head, and means within each head for opening the valve of a keg seated thereon to permit one of the said operations to be performed according to the particular compartment in which the keg is located.

8. A machine for washing and sterilizing inverted beer kegs each having an opening in its inverted end closed by a spring loaded valve, said machine comprising a base, a rectangular beam structure having upstanding opposite side members connected by a yoke, hydraulic means mounted on a stationary part of the machine for raising and lowering the yoke and consequently the beam structure, a carriage on the beam having rollers for moving along a track on the beam for transporting the kegs in sequence to stations at which washing, sterilizing and filling operations are performed respectively, hydraulically operated means for moving the carriage, means spaced along the carriage for locating the kegs so that their respective openings normally vertically align with upwarding projecting heads mounted on the base, each of said heads incorporating means for opening the valve of a keg seated thereon thereby permitting fluid from the head to enter the keg to effect a washing, sterilizing or filling operation according to the station at which the keg is located.

9. A machine for washing and sterilizing inverted beer kegs each having an opening in its inverted end closed by a spring loaded valve, said machine comprising hydraulically operated means for transporting the kegs horizontally in sequence to compartments in the machine in which compartments washing, sterilizing and filling operations are performed respectively, vertically slidable doors for the compartments, a chamber positioned above the compartments, means within the chamber for raising and lowering said doors during a pause in the movement of the kegs while in the compartments, hydraulically operated means for moving the kegs vertically downwards,

when in the compartments, for seating on fluid supply heads, each of said supply heads incorporating means for opening the valve of the keg located thereon to permit fluid from the supply head to enter the keg.

10. A machine as set forth in claim 9 wherein the raising and lowering of the aforesaid doors is effected by an arrangement of pulleys to which are anchored cables attached to the doors, and wherein the pulleys are driven in unison by a chain drive by hydraulic means, means being provided to counterbalance the weight of the doors.

11. A machine for washing, sterilizing and filling inverted beer kegs each having an opening in its inverted end said opening being closed by a spring loaded valve, said machine comprising a base, a beam structure arranged for vertical movement relatively to the base, a horizontally traversing carriage on the beam for transporting the kegs in sequence to stations in the machine at which washing, sterilizing and filling operations are performed respectively, means for locating the kegs on the carriage so that when a keg pauses at a station its opening axially aligns with a fluid supply head and subsequent downward of the beam causes the keg to seat on the head, pneumatically operated clamping means axially aligning with each of the said heads for clamping the kegs when seated on the said heads, and means associated with each head for opening the valve of a keg seated thereon to permit one of said operations to be performed according to the particular station at which the keg is located.

12. A machine for washing, sterilizing and filling inverted beer kegs each having an opening in its inverted end said opening being closed by a spring loaded valve, comprising a base, a rectangular beam structure having upstanding opposite side members connected together by a yoke, hydraulically operated means mounted on the base for raising and lowering the yoke and consequent ly the beam structure, a carriage having rollers for moving on a track on the said structure whereby kegs carried by the carriage are transported in sequence to compartments in the machine at which compartments washing,

sterilizing and filling operations are performed respectively, vertically slidable doors for the compartments a chamber arranged above the comparment and housing hydraulically operated pulley means for operating the doors while a keg is stationary in a compartment, pairs of oppositely disposed and internally bevelled segments spaced along the carriage for locating a neck on each keg whereby the opening in the keg is axially aligned with a fluid supply head projecting into each compartment on which head a keg seats when lowered by said beam structure, pneumatically operated clamping means axially aligning with each of the said heads for clamping the kegs when seated on the heads, means associated with each head for opening the valve of a keg seated thereon to permit one of said operations to be performed according to the particular compartment in which the keg is located, tanks within the said base for cleansing fluid and water respectively, means for heating the cleansing fluid and water within their respective tanks, pumps mounted on the base for pumping the cleansing fluid and water to the heads, means for returning the hot water to its tanks after washing operation and directing the cleansing fluid to a drain after the fluid has been used, electrical timers for controlling the operation of solenoid valves which in turn control supplies of compressed air for actuating valves regulating the supply of operating fluid to the machine, and volumetric measuring means for supplying a predetermined quantity of beer to a keg when located in the filling compartment, the operation of said measuring means being co-ordinated with the operations of the machine.

Refereuces Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,553,946 5/ 1951 Herbruggen 141277 X 2,879,812 3/1959 Johnson 141-277 X 3,202,187 8/1965 Pechman 141-92 X LAVERNE D. GEIGER, Primary Examiner.

H. BELL, Assistant Examiner. 

2. A MACHINE FOR WASHING AND FILLING INVERTED KEGS EACH HAVING AN OPENING IN ITS INVERTED END SAID OPENING BEING CLOSED BY A VALVE, SAID MACHINE COMPRISING MEANS FOR MOVING THE KEGS HORIZONTALLY IN SEQUENCE TO STATIONS IN THE MACHINE AT WHICH WASHING AND FILLING OPERATION ARE PERFOMED RESPECTIVELY, MEANS FOR EFFECTING A PAUSE IN THE HORIZONTAL MOVEMENT OF EACH KEG WHEN AT A STATION, MEANS FOR MOVING EACH KEG VERTICALLY DOWNWARDLY WHEN AT EACH STATION FOR REGISTRATION WITH FLUID SUPPLY MEANS AND MEANS ASSOCIATED WITH THE SAID FLUID SUPPLY MEANS FOR OPENING THE VALVE IN THE KEG SO THAT A WASHING OR FILLING OPERATION MAY BE PERFORMED ON THE KEG ACCORDING TO THE PARTICULAR STATION AT WHICH THE KEG IS LOCATED 